Is it OK for 76ers' Hinkie to be a 'Silent Sam'?

Thursday

There are no stands on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and no one roots for one brokerage firm to do better than the other.

Smith Barneyís Fan Army does not exist, although catchy.

76ers owner Joshua Harris has made many deals in his career on Wall Street, and most of them very successful ones. However, he usually never has to explain them to anyone except his fellow investors.

First of all, no one else probably cared outside of his investors and maybe the employees of the companies involved. Secondly, why should he?

So he does not come from an environment where public relations are emphasized.

New 76ers basketball president Sam Hinkie is cut from the same bolt of cloth, witness his MBA from Stanford.

Information is power so why on Earth would Hinkie just give information away so his opponents could use it. There is no reason he should give any advance warning on what he plans to do. Why tell opposing clubs what moves he plans.

Makes sense doesnít it?

There are only three times Hinkie has absolutely had to meet the media since assuming his new position: The day he was hired, the night of the draft and at Nerlens Noelís introductory press conference.

How many times has Hinkie met the press so far: 3.

Hinkie is not one to seek publicity anyhow.

When he was first hired, people had to go back to 2009 for the last full-length interview he gave. I know assistant general managers are not profiled much but that is still really avoiding the limelight

Interestingly, in those rare outings, Hinkie has proven adept at handling the media. He is a smart guy at not answering questions he does not want to answer.

He avoided all the slings and arrows about why the team does not have a coach. On draft night he admitted - if you read the tea leaves - they are looking to the draft next year and not for wins this year, but he did not go out and just say it.

Now, is this a problem, having someone running the show who shuns attention?

When there is no coach at the moment to deflect media attention, yeah, a little.

Hinkieís predecessors, Tony DiLeo, Rod Thorn and Ed Stefanski did not have to do too much public speaking because Doug Collins was the coach. A former TV announcer, Collins would answer pretty much everything and anything involving the organization quite articulately.

Right now there is no one with any basketball power in the organization except Harris and Hinkie. Owners speak up rarely (although Harris has stepped up to the plate and done well when he has) so Hinkie is really the only voice the organization has right now.

Yes, this is the off-season but it is also the time when season tickets get renewed.

To have some public declaration by Hinkie that better things are ahead, I have a plan, this is the way I think we should do it would probably be welcome by season ticket holders.

The moves he has made since taking over are generally lauded. Actually, I must say I am impressed as, remember, this is the first time he has ever run an organization and (as long as Noelís knee holds up) he has been right on the mark every time so far as far as most basketball experts are concerned.

The message is good, it is just that the messenger does not want to be the one to deliver it.

Now, the Philadelphia Eagles under Andy Reid treated every scrap of information like it was gold and they sold out every game. They have also been to 5 NFC title games in 11 years so the guy was producing on the field. But when things went wrong, that also meant no one would cut him any slack.

If the 76ers win, no one cares if we ever hear from Hinkie again. The winning coach and the successful players will suffice for the media machines.

Look at the Miami Heat, they have a pretty well-known general manager in Pat Riley but you rarely hear a peep from him.

But until then, the 76ers management canít treat their actions like a big business deal cut behind closed doors. The fans want to feel a part of it, or at least be given a chance to press their noses to the window and to look in.

The 76ers also have a new president for non-basketball operations, Scott OíNeill. Back when he was president of Madison Square Garden, he had the opposite problem. His owner liked to talk TOO much.

While Hinkieís job is to win games, OíNeillís is to fill the seats at the Wells Fargo Center.

Something tells me he will have a little talk with Hinkie. Nothing bad or anything, just that it would make his job easier if there was a little more access to the public.

It is almost like when your parents would buy Christmas presents.

They were the ones doing the buying but you would like a hint as to what they were thinking so you didnít get the same ugly sweater again.

Stuart Londonís usually provocative views on basketball can be seen here twice a week. You can contact him at Slondon@PhillyBurbs.com or on Twitter @Realstuartl

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Follow Us

Advertise

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
Bucks County Courier Times ~ 8400 N. Bristol Pk, Levittown, PA 19057 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service